"A 10 minute vacation for the soul."
“Just what is meant by ‘your word?’ It means your conscious intention, your conscious direction, your conscious faith and acceptance that, because of what you are doing, the Power of Spirit will flow through your word in the direction you give It.” — Ernest Holmes
My morning practice takes some time — anywhere from 1 1/2 to two hours. Even though we are retired Bob and I still work. We just don’t go somewhere else to work and we don’t collect regular paychecks. Like most people, one reason we work is that we need the money. Sometimes that need takes over and my morning practice starts being seen as a nuisance that just takes up too much time.
So I start experimenting with ways to shorten it. I take my yoga practice down to 1/2 hour. Then I decide I don’t need to practice every day (believe me, I do). The morning walk goes by the wayside as do other things like my art. I become a really strung out mess going around saying things like, “there’s just not enough time to get everything done” and “I didn’t move to the lake to work this hard, I’m always exhausted.” Preparing healthy meals becomes a dreaded chore rather than something done with love. It’s just not pretty. Can anyone else relate to this? I sure hope I’m not the only one. 🙂
So what causes all this? Well, first my priorities get out of order. Our lives have never been about making huge amounts of money. While we do need to work to generate extra retirement income, our situation is not as dire as it sometimes becomes in my thoughts. Misplaced priorities lead to ignoring the way my body works. I have always tired easily. When you’ve lived with something that many would consider a limitation for almost 60 years you figure out ways to work with it. Trying to do more than my body can do only results in exhaustion and eventually illness. I know this — but sometimes I forget. Eventually I come back to my true self and things settle down. But I do wish I could stop taking these frantic detours.
So, what’s my point in all this? We talk about “values” and what is important to us, but when people look at our lives, is that what they see? If we say family comes first, yet we never find the time to spend with them are we living what we say we value?
After my latest detour I find myself back to one hour of morning yoga, followed by reading the Daily Word, a brief Tai Chi practice and my morning walk. I will eventually be combing Tai Chi and the walk. This is a meditative walk, not exercise. Then I can get to work. Know what I’ve finally realized? Work goes better. I get more done when I am calm and relaxed rather than in a frenzy worrying that “we’re going to starve.” I am also able to stop resenting what I am doing and enjoy life.
I understand that not everyone can find two hours to devote to spiritual practice. But just as we make time to stop for morning coffee and check social media we need to make time to slow down, get centered and start living what we say we believe.
This video was part of the Daily Good e-mail that was in my inbox this morning. On this day which is heavily tinged with sadness for many of us I wanted to share this little glimmer of hope. You might want to be sure you have a box of tissues handy. I cried the first time I watched it and I also cried when I showed it to Bob.
Video from KarmaTube
This is a time in the United States and the world when all lightworkers and prayer warriors are needed. I live in a rather remote area and at the present time am not able to travel, but I can pray. I can join with others to cause the energy to shift in ways that will change the world. We do not pray to try to tell God what the outcome should be. We pray to bring the light into the world and situations where it is needed. We do not limit the power of God which may bring forth miracles we cannot even imagine.
We only take actions that are firmly rooted and grounded in prayer. Even our most well intentioned, best laid plans will fail if we do not follow God.
There is power in prayer. Please join me in praying/meditating in whatever way you may be led — silence, spoken word, traditional prayers, dance or other ways of connecting to the Divine “presence that is never an absence” in the words of Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith.
“Never say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore. There is always something to make you wonder in the shape of a tree, the trembling of a leaf.” –Albert Schweitzer, theologian and medical doctor
“Your body is a temple, but only if you treat it as one.”
― Astrid Alauda
“Life is not merely being alive, but being well.” — Marcus Valerius Martialis
“To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” — The Buddha
I used to hang out online with people who were trying to be live frugally. I always thought I could pinch a penny till it squealed, but some of these people were extreme in their methods as well as the beliefs that were driving them to save as much and spend as little as possible. Those groups and I eventually parted ways and the general attitude toward food was a major reason. Many believed it doesn’t matter what you eat and food was an area where you could really cut your spending.
If you know me at all you know I am all about health and wellness. I do have a budget. I do make a shopping list while checking the grocery ads. I’m the person who stands in the grocery aisles actually doing the math trying to figure out the best deal. But our budget is built realistically to purchase fresh fruits and veggies, minimally processed meats and other healthy, naturally gluten free foods. This comes from our belief that you can spend money on healthy food or you can spend money on doctors. We prefer to spend on food.
In addition to my other responsibilities I am essentially a homemaker, making a safe and healthy home for Bob and I. Grocery shopping, meal planning and cooking are part of my “job.” And, strange as this may sound in todays world, I actually like to cook. So taking the time needed to cook from scratch instead of grabbing convenience foods is something I don’t mind doing. At least most of the time. When my other responsibilities are piling up and I barely have time to breathe I do mind and the crock pot gets called into service.
So why am I talking about all this now? Well it’s January, and the beginning of a new year is a time when people seem to be talking, thinking and planning about food. Many resolutions will be food or weight related. Others will be looking at ways to save money and cut the budget.
While all this is going on there are a few things I would like you to consider:
“Intention is not something you do, but rather a force that exists in the universe as an invisible field of energy- a power that can carry us. It’s the difference between motivation and inspiration. Motivation is when you get hold of an idea and don’t let go of it until you make it a reality. Inspiration is the reverse- when an idea gets hold of you and you feel compelled to let that impulse or energy carry you along. You get to a point where you realize that you’re no longer in charge, that there’s a driving force inside you that can’t be stopped. Look at the great athletes, musicians, artists, and writers. They all tap into a source.” — Dr. Wayne Dyer
espirational.com